Both Birds Still in the Channel

February 5 to Mich-Listers:

The male Barrow’s Goldeneye and the 1st winter male King Eider were both present this morning in the Muskegon Channel.  Birders that were there included Carl and Judi Manning, Liz Notman, Bob Sabine and Reg Crowe.  All got great looks at both birds.  Both ducks were found from the Silversides submarine parking lot.  The goldeneye was along the far river bank and west of the parking lot.  The eider was on the far river bank directly across from the parking lot.  The first parking lot you come to (where most people are viewing from) is not plowed and you might get stuck unless you have all wheel drive.  I believe the main parking lot that is a short distance further is plowed and a better place to park.  From this second parking lot, it is a very short walk back to the viewing location.  In the last two days, the winds have blown much of the ice into Lake Michigan and there is only a narrow strip of ice keeping the ducks from venturing further west into the big lake.  If this ice breaks free, it might be much harder to find these birds.  - Chip Francke